Growing the Valley

Kadie Britt discusses research results from a project examining the effects of cover crop on overwintering NOW larvae mortality. Upcoming meetings: Introduction to Irrigation Management series to be held in Madera (Nov 7), Bakersfield (Nov 14), and Modesto (Nov 16). Best Management Practices for Soil Health to be held at the Kearney Ag Center in Parlier (Nov 16). Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

It’s October, the year is almost over! Phoebe and Luke compete to see who can go over the month’s tasks, using whatever metric they feel is the best way to declare themselves the winner. They then discuss current activities. Upcoming meetings: Introduction to Irrigation Management series to be held in Madera (Nov 7), Bakersfield (Nov 14), and Modesto (Nov 16). Best Management Practices for Soil Health to be held at the Kearney Ag Center in Parlier (Nov 16). Missed Luke’s cankinar? Luckiily there’s a recording Available:  https://youtu.be/p4JwrMGKros   This webinar features UC plant pathologists Florent Trouillas and Themis Michailides discussing the latest best management practices for almond and prune cankers, respectively. Their two talks are followed up with extensive Q&A from growers on how to best protect and preserve trees for long-term orchard success!   Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

Dr. Ben Faber (UCCE Ventura County) discusses the effects of heat damage in orchard crops and practices to help manage high temperatures that are occurring more frequently with climate change.

Dr. Themis Michailides has been seeing increased mold in walnut pathology samples in recent years. The UC Davis Plant Pathologist at the Kearney Ag Center discusses his lab’s research on the biology and management of the disease.

Houston Wilson (Entomology Specialist with UC Riverside) gives Phoebe an update on a project examining whether sterile NOW moths can be an effective addition to navel orangeworm management. Upcoming webinar: “Practical Canker Management in Almond and Prune” Thursday, September 29 from 9 – 10:30 AM PST. The webinar will feature UC plant pathologists Florent Trouillas and Themis Michailides discussing the latest best management practices for almond and prune cankers, respectively. There will be lots of opportunity for Q&A, so save the date. Once registration is live, we will let you know on the podcast. More about Cytospora cankers at: https://www.sacvalleyorchards.com/prunes/diseases-prunes/combat-cytospora-canker/ Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv

Phoebe and Luke discuss important tasks for September, orchard observations, and other thoughts. Upcoming webinar: “Practical Canker Management in Almond and Prune” Thursday, September 29 from 9 – 10:30 AM PST. The webinar will feature UC plant pathologists Florent Trouillas and Themis Michailides discussing the latest best management practices for almond and prune cankers, respectively. There will be lots of opportunity for Q&A, so save the date. Once registration is live, we will let you know on the podcast. More about Cytospora cankers at: https://www.sacvalleyorchards.com/prunes/diseases-prunes/combat-cytospora-canker/ Mention of pesticide use does not constitute a pesticide recommendation, merely the sharing of research findings. Always follow the pesticide label. The label is law. Find out more at ipm.ucanr.edu. Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv

Dr. Rich Rosecrance and Becky Wheeler-Dykes (CSU Chico) discuss their latest findings on the mechanical pruning of prune trees.

Dr. Themis Michailides (UC Davis Plant Pathologist) discusses his lab’s advances against Cytospora cankers, a disease that can devastate prune orchards.

Phoebe discusses irrigation pumps, including their capacity and maintenance, with Jon Chilcote, a USDA NRCS team engineer for the Southern San Joaquin Valley. The website for the Department of Water Resources groundwater data: http://wdl.water.ca.gov/waterdatalibrary/ There are several additional resources you can find on our episode page. Thank you to the Almond Board of California and the California Pistachio Research Board for their support. Music by Muriel Gordon.

Despite it’s fun acronym (BFF), the newly introduced Black Fig Fly is no friend to figs. Native to the Mediterranean, it’s recently been found in Southern California and causing damage to fruit there. Kadie Britt, a postdoctoral scholar at UC Riverside, describes what we know about it and what she and her colleagues are doing to learn about its life cycle and behavior in California. Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv

Phoebe and Luke talk about best management practices in almonds, pisachios, walnuts, and prunes, as well as the problems they’re diagnosing out in the field.

Mel Machado (Blue Diamond Almond Growers) discusses important considerations for timing almond harvest, including grower objectives, varieties, and nut quality.

Dr. Franz Niederholzer (UCCE Orchard Advisor in Colusa and Sutter/Yuba) discusses how irrigation best practices in prune orchards this summer maximize grower returns and orchard longevity.

Phoebe and Luke discuss important things to keep track of in July. Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. Follow us on Twitter! @SacOrchards and @SJVtandv

Dr. Ken Shackel (UC Davis) sits down to discuss what we know about coping with drought in almond production.